Family Violence Campaign Launches in Hawke's Bay

May 19, 2011 - A regional family violence campaign to raise awareness of domestic violence amongst young people and their families will be launched in the Hawke’s Bay today (Thursday May 19 at 4.00 PM).

‘We’re OK in the Bay – we ask for help’ is a five-stage project linked to the national Campaign for Action on Family Violence, ‘It is OK to ask for help’.

The brainchild of DOVE Hawke’s Bay advocate for children and young people, Lisa Hann, and LIVE Hawke’s Bay coordinator, Rebeckah Hunt, the regional initiative will be launched at the Napier City Council chambers with the support of the Napier mayor, DOVE Hawke’s Bay, LIVE Hawke’s Bay, Napier City Council, Hawke’s Bay District Health Board, police and local agencies.

The campaign – aimed at raising awareness, offering strategies for change and providing offers of support from local and national agencies – uses a range of resources and high-profile exposures such as Go-Bus and supermarket dockets.

As part of stage one, the Everyday Theatre company delivers an interactive family violence workshop to intermediate students. Hann and Hunt say the theatre team uses drama to create opportunities for young people and communities to discuss and find their own answers to the issues of child abuse and family violence.

“We wanted to focus on a message that normalised our communities’ behaviour of being able to ask for help and one that shared the idea that in Hawke’s Bay, we do ask for help – and here is how we do it,” Hann explains.

“We hope that by gently weaving the idea in and around the community, we can encourage the growth of a transformational environment for families and whanau. It is in this environment that change can safely happen and that help can become normalised so community members can feel supported to pick up the phone and talk to someone.”

‘We’re OK in the Bay – we ask for help’ will be launched at the Napier City Council chambers today – Thursday May 19 – at 4.00 PM.

ENDS

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